Douneside House

Douneside House, the MacRobert family home until Lady MacRobert’s death in 1954, is our flagship property and takes pride of place at the heart of the estate and its operations.

For the majority of the year, Douneside House operates as a luxury country house and is open to the general public who wish to stay or dine. Set within 17 acres of beautifully tended gardens with views over the Howe of Cromar, Douneside House is also a popular wedding or conference venue. The main house features 14 elegantly designed guest rooms; many with antiques, photographs or artefacts reminiscent of the original interiors. Adjacent to the main hotel is the Casa Memoria building, which was originally brought to life by the MacRobert family, as a museum for artefacts collected on their extensive overseas travels. The building’s unusual architecture has enabled its transformation into four contemporary, architect-designed guest apartments, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms. The property further encompasses guest cottages Gatehouse, Pine, Alpha and Morven. Individual in style and size, each features its own, beautifully tended garden and patio.Within the grounds of Douneside is a well-equipped Health Club which includes a swimming pool, fitness suite, sauna and Jacuzzi. The local community are able to join the Health Club, with various membership options available.

As part of the Trust’s charitable activities, Douneside House extends a warm welcome to military guests, with exclusive accommodation periods and preferential rates. Up until December 2014, Douneside was used exclusively by serving and retired military officers of the armed services. To continue this valued tradition, Douneside is booked by the MacRobert Trust from mid-July until the end of August every year, as well as during the annual Christmas period, for the exclusive use of serving and retired Commissioned Officers of the British Armed Services and their families. During these periods, Douneside House further welcomes Officers of the Reserve Forces and Air Training Corps; Army Cadet Corps and Sea Cadets, together with their families and guests. Serving and retired Commissioned Officers of any NATO or Commonwealth countries can also take advantage of these blocked-off dates, with accommodation rates being subsidised by the MacRobert Trust during the exclusive periods.

While Douneside House welcomes non-military guests outside of these special dates, the preferential accommodation rates are valid for members of the Armed Forces throughout the year, and the preferential rate extends to all ranks of the Armed Forces’ organisations outside of the exclusive dates. Post Operational Tour Leave rates are also available.